Permit Activity

Master Use Permits

DPD currently is reviewing the MUP application for the Sound Transit Operations and Maintenance base, located south of S. Forest Street and west of Airport Way S. In addition, Sound Transit is submitting MUPs for system construction in the Martin Luther King Jr Way corridor. These MUPs cover demolition of existing structures, construction of system components, and use of sites for temporary construction staging.

South of the McClellan station, all Sound Transit stations will be located in the MLK right-of-way, and do not require Master Use Permits. However, MUPs are required for station area plazas and substantial system features such as traction power substations.

Questions about these projects may be directed to DPD planner Carol Proud, (206) 233-7197, carol.proud@seattle.gov.

For general information about DPD land use review of Sound Transit projects, please contact John Shaw, (206) 684-5837, john.shaw@seattle.gov.

Past Activity
-Posting from April 23, 2002

DPD has published seven Master Use Permit decisions approving demolition of a total of 14 structures in the Duwamish Industrial Area. These structures are being demolished for future construction of the Sound Transit Operations and Maintenance Base and adjacent aerial guideway. Final approval of these Master Use Permit is contingent on Sound Transit meeting certain outstanding conditions, primarily the development of a transportation plan to reduce traffic circulation activities associated with the demolition. This plan will identify truck haul routes and times at which the demolition and/or grading materials will be removed from the sites.

DPD currently is reviewing Master Use Permits for the proposed Royal Brougham and Lander Street stations. The Royal Brougham station project number is 2200871, and the Lander Street station number is 2200761. In addition, DPD is reviewing Master Use Permit #2201345, which would establish a temporary staging area adjacent to the proposed Lander Street station for construction activities north and south of the station site.

For general information about DPD land use review of Sound Transit projects, please contact John Shaw, (206) 684-5837, john.shaw@seattle.gov.

Noise Variances

Current Status
-as of August 28, 2003

DPD has granted Sound Transit a conditional noise variance from the standards for nighttime construction noise for the Beacon Hill Tunnel and Station. The variance will allow construction activity at three sites to exceed the maximum permissible sound level during nighttime hours as specified in SMC 25.08.410 and 25.08.420 of the Seattle Noise Ordinance.

• Noise Variance Application (2.5MB PDF)
• Revision to Noise Variance Application (179KB PDF)
• Noise Variance Decision (179KB PDF)
  

Numerous conditions have been placed on this project and the decision is appealable through the Hearing Examiner until September 8, 2003. Details on how to appeal are available in the August 28, 2003 Land Use Information Bulletin.

If you have questions or would like more information, contact either of the following:

• David George
  DPD Noise Abatement Coordinator
  (206) 684-7843
  david.george@seattle.gov
• Bob Laird
  DPD Director of Operations
  (206) 615-1312
  bob.laird@seattle.gov

Past Activity

-Posting from May 5, 2003

DPD has received an application from Sound Transit for a technical variance from the standards for nighttime construction noise for the Beacon Hill Tunnel and Station.

The segment of the light rail system covered by the application runs from the west tunnel portal (east of Airport Way S. near South Forest Street) to the east tunnel portal (east of 25th Ave S. and south of South McClellan St). The application also covers work at the Beacon Hill Station construction site on the block bounded by Beacon Avenue, McClellan Street, 17th Avenue, and Lander Street. Sound Transit's application proposes specific new construction noise limits for three work sites.

Section 25.08.640 of the Seattle Noise Ordinance provides for technical variances from noise standards when there is no practical means known or available for the adequate prevention, abatement or control of the noise involved. As a condition of granting the variance, DPD may require mitigation measures.

Two public meetings have been scheduled to hear oral comments on this application. Both meeting sites are wheel-chair accessible.

May 29, 2003, 7-8:30 p.m.
Jefferson Community Center (Big Meeting Hall)
3801 Beacon Ave S.

June 4, 2003, 7-8:30 p.m.
Franklin High School (Room 205)
3013 S. Mount Baker Blvd.

Written comments may be submitted at any time prior to June 20, 2003--either by sending an email to david.george@seattle.gov or a letter to:

DPD
Attn: David George
700 5th Ave, Suite 2000
Seattle, WA 98104-5070

For copies of the variance application and further information, contact David George, DPD's Noise Abatement Coordinator, (206) 684-7843, david.george@seattle.gov.

-Posting from April 11, 2002

Due to the north segment of the light rail line being on hold at this time, Sound Transit has withdrawn its application for a technical variance from the standards for nighttime construction noise in the north end. For more information, please contact David George, DPD Noise Abatement Coordinator, (206) 684-7843, david.george@seattle.gov.

-Posting from July 7, 2000

DPD has received an application from Sound Transit for a technical variance from the standards for nighttime construction noise along the north segment of the light rail line.

The segment of the light rail system covered by the application runs from the Convention Center station to NE 45th Street east of I-5. This application proposes specific new construction noise limits for six construction staging areas along the north segment.

Section 25.08.640 of the Seattle Noise Ordinance provides for technical variances from noise standards when there is no practical means known or available for the adequate prevention, abatement or control of the noise involved. As a condition of granting the variance, DPD may require mitigation measures.

Three public meetings were held in May on this application, and many written and oral comments have been received. A DPD decision on the variance was scheduled to be published in early July 2000. On July 3 DPD requested additional justification and technical information from Sound Transit before making its decision. Once this new information has been submitted there will be a second public notice and a public hearing. The decision is appealable to the City's Hearing Examiner.

For more information about the variance application, or to be placed on the mailing list to be notified of the publication of the decision, please contact David George, (206) 684-7843, david.george@seattle.gov.